Typewriting machine



l Jurie 30, 192.5. i

J. A., B. SMiTH -TYPEWRITING MCH'INE Filed May 4, 1922 `Patented June 30, 1925".'

UNlTl-:D STATES lParu'rfrrV l 1 1,544,109 oFFlcE.

JESSE A B. SMITH, F STANFORD, CONECTICUT, ASSIGNO-TO UNDERWOOD TYPE# WRITER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

mnwnlrma MACHINE Application led May 4,

1 ing Machines, of which the following is a.

- for other work. '55

specication.

The present invention relates to worksheet feeding and controlling mechanism for typewriting machines.r More particularly the invention relates to `typewriting ma.-

chines in which two sheets set side by sidel y upon a single unitary platen may be written upon alternately and have line-feed movement independentlv of each other. The sheets at one side may, for instance, be individual bills or forms, and those at the'other side be ledger accounts or classified totalling sheets; and, in a machine of the character mentioned. the entries may be made on the ledger or totalling sheet, as the work on the individual sheets progresses,'without necessitating repeated withdrawals and linA scrtionsjof the ledger or totalling sheet.

in object of the present invention is the provision of means, independent and free of the platen, for eli'ecting line-space movement, over the platen,-of the sheet' (preferably the ledger or totalling sheet). at one side ofthe platen; thus, as to such sheets, eliminating the pressure rolls which, ordinai-ily hold the sheets to the platen and cause the 4same to be moved therewith.

'l he platen being cleared of all feeding devices, say for the ledger sheet, there is no feedlnf mechanism to'be released fromA movement every time the other sheetis to be moved. By means of the present invention, therefore, the operation of writingon the two sheets, as well as the. mechanism involved, is much simplified. A(Uf course it will ordinarily not be necessary to remove from the mahine an of the feed lrolls usually present: certain of theseA may be fixed in released position for the character of work above mentioned, and may be used A feature of the invention is the provision 1922. serial No. 558,357.

of, a sheet-feeding device,- for the purpose mentioned, independent and free of the platen, which shall also serve as a means forl the platen', preferably at a point about mid-.f l

way of the platen, and being releasable one from the other for easy insertion of the sheets.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a shelf against which erasures may be made on the sheet which is fed independently of the platen. (lrdinarily, to elfect an erasure, the platen is slightly A'turned to bring the printing to be alteredv to a position Where it is clear of the printing instrumentalities, and the erasure is then made against the platen. llVhere, as in the present invention, one of the sheets may notl move with the platen, it may nevertheless be moved by its own feeding device. to bring, to the shelf just mentioned, the printing which is to be erased. A feature of the invention is the provision of means, preferably the shelf referred to, or an eXtenslon thereof, for guiding the sheets to fthe feed- 4ing device, and for preventing fouling of the sheets on the supports and the operating mechanism of such ,feeding device.

@ther features and advantages will hereinafter appear. Inthe accompanying drawmgs, l Figure l is a front elevation of a platenframe of an Underwood front-strike type.- writing machine, showing the inventlon applied thereto; y

Figure 2 is a view in cross-sectional slde elevation on the line 2-2 of Figure l; the feed-rollers for the right-hand sheet being shown in effective position.

Figure 3 is a View similar 'to Figure 2, except that the feed-rollers for the righthand sheet are shown in released position,

and certain parts shown vin -Figure 2 are omitted.

Figure 4 is ajvlew 1n side elevatlon, look-- ing toward the right-hand end of the plateny frame.

yllO

t is rotatably mounted by means of an axle 11 in the end plates 12 and 13 of a platenframe, and may be rotated by means of linger-Wheels 14 and 15, respectively, or by line-space mechanism, including a ratchetwheel 16, mounted on the axle 11.'

The work-sheets 1 at the left-hand side Aof the platen are`held against the platen by means of front feed-rolls 17 and rear feedrolls 18, mounted on shafts 19 and 20, re-- on which the levers 21 and 22 are pivoted.

To release the feed-rolls 17 and 18, a release-shaft 24 is provided, which is cut away, on opposite sides thereof, to form depressions 25, having flat bottoms againstwhich the lower ends of the levers 21, 22 rest when the parts are in normal position, as shown-in Figure 2. The shaft 23 is supported in the end plates 12 and 13 of the platen-frame, and the feed-roll release-shaft 24 is rotatably supported in brackets 26, depending from the shaft 23. For rotating the release-'shaft to cam Outfthe levers 21 and 22 in such manner'vas to release the feedrolls 17 and 18, there is fast to the releaseshaft an arm 27 connected by a link 28 to an arm 29 fast on a shaft 30, which shaft 30 alsohas fast thereto an arm 31 carrying a linger-piece 32. This is the feed-roll releasemechanism\ commonl to` Underwood ,typewriting machines. Depression of the finger-V piece 32 causes the release-shaft 24 to be rotated in suchmanner as to release the feedrolls; and, u on release of the linger-piece 32, the springs which act upon the levers 21 and 22 cause the feed-rolls to return to effective position, and the operating connections to resume their normal positions. p

It will be noted that no feed-rolls, such as 17 and 18, are shown at the right-hand side of the platen. This is because the' Worksheets 2 at this side of the platen do not receive their line-feed movement by ,rotation of the platen. On the contrary, the worksheets 2 Ireceive their line-feed movement whilethe platen is stationar and, although held snugly to the platen or the printing operation, are movable freely over` the s urface of the platen by other mechanism, conlstituting a worksheet-feeding attachment,

now to be described.

-The paper-shelf 33 is shownin ,Figure 2 for guiding the work-sheets' 2 down and around the platen, from front to rear. At the front, the leading edges of the sheets 2 pass between and are held by opposing rolls 34 and 35. A table 36 is also provided at the front, which, as will presently appear, has the functions of serving as a guide for the Work-sheets and as a support for the work-sheets Where erasures are to be effected.` The rolls 34 havebearing on a shaft 37 each end of Which'is supported in an arm 38. The arms 38 are fast to a rock-shaft 39, the right-hand end of the shaft 39 having bearing in a triangular plate or bracket 40, secured by screws 41 to the right-hand end plate 13 of the platen-frame. The left-hand end of the shaft has bearing in a plate or bracket 422 The plate 42 is secured to the usual paper-finger-rod 43, which, in turn, is supported at either end inthe endplates-,of the' platen-frame. The` plate 42 is also supported in part by the platen 10, having rollers 44 which ride on the platen forward of the rod 43. The rolls 35, to which the rolls 34 are opposed, are carried by a shaft 45, the right and left hand ends of which have bearing in the plates 40 and 42, respectively. The end plates or brackets 40 and 42 and the feed-roll-carrying shaft 45 in this instance thus comprise the frame or body of the work-sheet-feeding. attachment. The rollers 44 rest upon the laten about midway thereof and demark aline of division of the platen for feeding two separate exposed work-sheets side by side.

Springs 46, which encircle the rock-shaft 39 to which thearms 38 are attached, bear at one end on a shaft 47 and at the other end grasp the roll-carrying shaft 37, tending to rock the arms 38 with the shaft 37 in such directioni as to hold the rolls'34 against the rolls' 35; thus to cause the Work-sheet 2 to be gripped between the opposing rolls. To release the Work-sheet 2 from this ip, for purposes of insertion and removal o the sheet, the rolls 34 are releasable from the rolls 35, and, for this purpose, the shaft 47 has grooves or cross-cuts49 therein, through which, as shown in Figure 2, the arms 38 pass when the rolls 34 are in effective position. The shaft 47 is, however, revoluble, so that, as shown inFigure 3, rotation thereof will cause the arms 38'to be cammed up out of the grooves 49 and onto the circular periphery of the shaft 47, thereby rocking the arms 38 with the rolls 34 awa from the rolls 35. lThe shaft 47 has its earings in the plates 40 and 42. At its right-hand end, the shaft 47 is extended beyond the plate 40 and has fast thereto an arm 50, carrying a finger-piece 51, by means of which the shaft 47 may be turned to release and apply the rolls 34.

The rolls 34 not only hold ythe worksheets at the right-hand side of the platen in position while the platen is rotated with the work-sheets at thev left-handside thereof, but also serve as a means for-effectinga I .35, is extended beyond the end plate 40 and has secured thereto a thumb-wheel 52, similar to the wheel 14 on the platen-shaft. 'Ihe table 36 has openings 53 therein, through which the rolls 34 may engage the rolls 35.

' This table has right-angle pieces or brackets 54 secured to the rear face 'thereof by rivets 55. IPerpendicular wings 56 of these brackets have'two hooks or yokes 57 and 58, respectively,formed therein. The shaft 39 serves as a hanger for the hooks or yokes 57, and the shaft 45 serves as a hanger for the hooks or yolies 58. 1The table 36 is, therefore, detachably and rigidly supported. rI`he portion of the table 36 below the rolls 34 and 35 may serve as a guide for the work-sheets to the rolls, but, more particuv larly, is useful as a support against which erasures on the worksheets may be eected. In the usual typewriting machine, to effect an erasure, the platen' is given a slight vrotary 'pmovementt-o bring the printing to an accessible position above the printing 'instrumentalities, and the erasure is made directly against the platen. In lthe presentmachine, however, rotation of the platen is not ordinarily desired when printing is Abeing effected onthe work-sheets 2. Consequently, the movement of the sheet to a position where an erasure may be made is effected by turning the thumb-wheel 52 until 'the' printing nis brought opposite the lower part of the table 36. Above and to the rear of theI rolls 34 and 35, the table 36 serves as a guide for the work-sheets, to prevent the same froml fouling the shafts 39` and 47.

Variations may be resorted to withinithe scope of the invention, 'and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

^ Having thus described my invention, I

claim: p Y

'1. In a typewriting machine for typing alternatively upon either of two work-sheetsarranged^side by side, in combination,v a revoluble platen, means co-acting with the platen` at one side of the latter to 'cause Awork-sheets on the platen to be held'thereto and to have line-space movement there? with', and means at the other vside of the platen for holding work-sheets in fixed position for printing thereon against the platen, and for effecting a line-space movement of such work-sheets over the platen, independently of movement of the platen,

said last-mentioned means being supported in part platen.

2. In a typewrlting machine, 1n comb1na upon the platen about midway of the cause work-sheets `on the platen to be held y thereto and to have line-'space movement.

therewith, and sheet-gripping rolls free of the platen but partly supported thereon al' the other side of the platen forv effecting a r line-space movement over the platen' of work-sheets arranged beside the first-mcn tioned work-sheets independently of movement of the platen.

- 3. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a revoluble platen, means co-acting with the platen at one side of the latter to cause work-sheets on the platen to be held thereto and to have line-space movement therewith, sheet-gripping rolls free of the platen but partly supported thereon at the other side of the platen for effecting a linespace movement over the platen of worksheets arranged beside the first-mentibned work-sheets, and means yfor turning said rolls independently of the platen to move the second-mentioned work-sheets withre# spect to the platen. v 4. In a typewriting machine for typing alternatively upon work-sheets arranged side by side and for advancing the sheets individually, a rotary platen, means at the left side of the platen for feeding the worksheet at the left side, and wholly independent means at the right side of the platen extending'ab'out midway thereof and resting in part upon the platen for feeding the work-sheet at the right side, the construction and arrangement being such that either ofthe work-feeding means may be operated at will to advance the work-sheet controlled by it and that the other work-feeding means may remain effective but idle at the same time to hold stationary the work ltrolled by it while the other work-feeding means remains effective but idle to hold stationary the work-sheet controlled by it, both of said means extending about midway of the -platen and one of said means being supported in part upon the platen.

6. In a typewrlting machine by side and for line-feeding the sheets in- ',dividually as they are typed, a rotary platen, feed-rolls cofoperating` with the platen at one end thereof to control and feed the work-sheet at that end of the platen, co-

for typing alternatively upon work-sheet arranged side t ond-mentioned work-sheet while the first.-

Aso

mentioned work-sheet is held stationary by the platen and the co-operating feed-rolls.

7. In a typewriting machine for typing alternatively vupon work-sheets arranged side by side, a revoluble platen, work-feeding means at the right end of the platen for 'line-feeding the work-sheet atthatend,`

work-feeding means at the left end of the platen for line-feeding -a work-sheet atthat end, said work-feeding means being wholly independent of each other and being non-v conflicting so that either may remain effective but idle -during operation of the other, and means for separately casting olf the work-feeding means to render either -of them ineffective while the other remains effective, or to render both of them ineffective at the same time, one of said work-feeding means being supported in part upon the platen'. y .v P

8. In a typewriting machine, a platen, c0- operating front and rear feed-rolls at the delivery side' of the platen forl feeding a work-sheet around the platen and relatively thereto, a shaft supporting the front feedrolls, a shaft supporting the rear feed-rolls, said shafts being arranged one above the other, and a front papertable having down- Wardly opening hooks engageable with the shafts for hanging the papera-table on the shafts in position to project between the feed-rolls, the paper-table being apertured between the feed-rolls to permit the feedrolls to co-actthrough the table.

9. An attachment for typewriting machines comprising end brackets, a plurality of shafts connecting said brackets, front and rear feed-rolls supported by said shafts, and

' .a front paper-table'removably mounted on said shafts, saidpaper-table being arranged, when mounted on the shafts, to extend between the feed-rolls and being` apertured to .permit the co-action of the feed-rolls V through the table.

A y10. An attachment for a unitaryfplaten typewriting machine arranged to extend part-way across the platen of the machine to adapt-themachine to feed two work-sheets side by .side independently of each other, which comprises apair of brackets, means for securing one of said brackets -to the platen-frame of the machine, means to support the other bracket uponthe surface of the platen, connections between the brackets, andco-operating feed-rolls carried by the attachment for feeding the work.

- 11. In a typewriting machine, a platen, a

paper-shelf at the introductory side of the platen for guiding work-sheets thereto, feed-rolls at one end of the platen to co-operate therewith in'feeding a work-sheet, and an auxiliary feed-roll mechanism above the platen at its opposite end for feeding a sec ond work-sheet besidethe first, each sheet- `feeding means being arranged to remain effective but idle during the operation of the other to hold its sheet stationary while the other sheet is being advanced, said auxiliary feed-roll mechanism being locatedabove the platen and entirely between the yplane of the paper-shelf and the writing plane, so as not tolfobstruct the insertion or feeding around the platen of a wide sheet substantially co-extensive with the platen.

" 12. In a typewriting machine, in combi- Y riage, sheet-gripping rolls supported free of the platen, means co-operating with the rolls to cause work-sheets to lie against the platen at the printing linefrneans for turning the rolls independently@ t e laten to move the work-sheets over an wit respect to the platen, a frame on which the rolls have bearing, and vmeansfor securing said frame to the platen carriage, said frame being in part supported on the platen.

13. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a revoluble platen, 'a platen carriage, sheetgripping rol s supported free of the' platen, "means co-operatmg with the rolls to cause work-sheets. to lie against the platen at the printing line, means for turningy the A rolls independently of the laten to move the work-sheets over and Wit res ect to the platen,`a frame on which the rolls ai e bearing, and means for securing said frame to the platen carriage, said frame having rollers which ride upon andl in part support the l frame onv the platen.

' 14. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a revoluble platen, a sheet-gripping devicefree of the platen, means co-operating with the gripping device to cause worksheets to lie against the platen at the printing line, means for feedingthe `w0rksheets, as held by the gripping device, while the platen remains stationary, and a shelf bevtween the laten and theT gripping device against which erasures may be madel upon y movement of the sheets by the gripping device.

15. In a typewriting machine, in combina'l L tion, a revoluble platen, sheet-gripping rolls supported freeJ of the platen, means co-operating withthe rolls to cause work-sheets to lie against the platen at the printing line,

means for lturning the rollsindependently -of the platen to move' the work-sheets over and with respect to the platen, and a plate through which the rolls engage each other and which |serves as a combined erasing table and sheet guide.

16. In a typewritting machine,incombi nation, a revoluble platen, a platen-frame, and a work-sheet-feeding attachment for feeding sheets independently of the platen, said attachment. comprising a frame extending from one end of the platen-frame part way across t-he platen and having its other end resting on the platen.

.17. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a revoluble platen, a platen-frame,

attachment-frame including opposite end* brackets, one of said end brackets being scured to said platen-frame and the other end bracket being supported upon'the sur face of the platen. l

y 9.N In a ,typewriting machine, rin combination, a revoluble platen, a platen-frame, and a work-sheet-feeding attachment for feeding sheets independently o f the platen, said 4*attachment comprising a frame extending from one end of the platen-frame to a point about midway of the platen, said attachment-frameI including opposite end brackets, one of said end .brackets being s secured to said platen-frame and the other end bracket being supported upon the surface of the platen, said platen-supported end bracket having rollers for traversing the surface of the platen.

20. In a typewriting machine, in combination, arevoluble platen, -a platen-frame, and a worksheet-feeding attachment to enable the machine to feed two exposed work- .sheets side by side independently. of each other, said attachment comprising a frame extending from one end of the platen-frame part way across the platen and having its other end resting on the platen.l means cooperative with the platen for feeding one of said work-sheets, and means on said attachment for feeding the other lof said work-sheets independently of the platen.

21. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a revoluble` platen, a platen-frame, and a worksheet-feeding attachment to enable the machine to feed two exposed worksheets side by side independently of each other, lsaid attachment comprisinga frame vextending across the platen, `having one end secured to the platen-frame and the other o. end resting on the Plat@ about midway of the platen, means co-operative with the platen for feeding one of said work-sheets and means on said attachment for feeding the other of said work-sheets independentlyof the'plate'n. Y

22. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a revoluble platen, a platen-frame, and a lwork-sheet-feeding attachment to enable the machine to feed two exposed worksheets side by side independently ofl each other, said attachment comprising a frame extending from one end of the platen-frame to al point about midway of the platen, said attachment-frame including opposite end brackets, one of said end brackets being secured t0\said platen-frame-and the other end bracket being supported upon the surface of the platen, means co-operative with the platen for feeding one of said worksheets and means on said attachment for' feeding the other of said work-sheets independently of the platen.

. 23. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a `revoluble platen,`a platen-frame,-

and a worksheet-feeding attachment to enablekthe machine tofeed two exposed work' sheets side by side independently of each other, said attachment comprising a frame extending from one end of the platen-frame part way across the platen and having its other end resting on the platen, means cooperative with the platen for (feeding one of said work-sheets, sheet-gripping feed-rolls onY said attachment and means for turning said Afeed-rolls to 'e'ect line-spacing movement of said last-mentioned work-sheet independent-ly of the platen. 24. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a revoluble platen, a platen-frame, and a worksheet-feeding attachment to enable, the machine to feed two exposed work-` sheets side by side independently of each other, said attachment comprising a frame extending across the platen, having one end secured to lthe platen-frame and the other end resting on the platen` about midway of the platen, means co-operative with the platen 'for -feeding one of said work-sheets,

sheet-gripping feed-rolls on said attach-'- i ment-ment and means'for turning said feedrolls to effect line-spacing movement ofl said last-mentioned work-sheet independ-l ently of the platen. e

25. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a revoluble platen, a platen-frame, and a work-sheet-feeding attachment to enable the machine to feed two exposed worksheets side 'by side independently of each other, said attachment comprisinga frame extending from/one end of the platen-frame to a point about midway of the platen, said attachment-frame including opposite end brackets, one of said end brackets being secured to said platen-framev andthe other 'end bracket being supported upon the surE face ofthe platen, means coloperative with the platen for feeding one of said Work'-v sheets, sheet-gripping feed-rolls on said at-y tachmentand means foi` turningvsaid feedrolls to eiect line-spacing movement of said last-mentioned Work-sheet independently of the platen.

26. In a typevvriting machine, in combi- .nation, a 'revoluble platen,a platen-frame, 10`

part Way across the platen and having its otherl end resting on the platen, coactive yfeeding rollson said attachment and means( for rendering said feeding rolls inoperative.

27. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a revoluble platen, a platen-frame,

and a work-sheet-feeding attachment for feeding sheets independently of the platen,.

said attachment comprising a frame eX- tending from one end of the platen-,frame part Way `across the platen and havingits other end resting on the platen, coactive feeding rolls on said attachment and means foi` rendering said feeding rolls inoperative, said means comprising a cam-shaft mounted in said attachment-frame and a linger-piece foi;l turning said cam-shaft.

28. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a revoluble platen, a platen-frame, and a Worksheet-'feeding attachment for feeding sheets independently of the platen, said attachment Vcomprising al frame eX- tending from one end of the platen-frame part Way across the platen and having its other end resting on the platen, Work-sheetfeeding means on saidattachment and a removable front paper-table 4co-operative with said Work-slieet-feeding means.

29. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a revoluble platen, a platen-frame,

and a Work-sheet-feeding attachment having one end secured to the platen-frame and the other end resting on and having supp port upon the platen, Worksheet-feeding means -on said attachment and a front paper-table projecting between the feeding means with provision for engaging relation between vsaid Work-sheet.

JESSEA. B. SMITH. .Witnesses Y MARION R. MGCAFFREY, JENNIE P. 'IHoR'Nn4 feeding means an the 

